13-Feb-2017: Indian Seed Congress 2017 inaugurated in Kolkata.

The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh spoke about National Farmer Policy of the Union Government on the inaugural function of Indian Seed Congress – 2017 and said that the objective of this policy is to accelerate agricultural output, develop infrastructural facilities in the villages, promote value addition, expedite the growth of Agro-business, create employment in the rural areas, ensuring better livelihood status of the farmers and agriculture workers and their families, discourage migration to urban areas and face the challenges emerging out of economic liberalization and globalization.

The theme of Seed Congress is “Seed of Joy” which is very much in line with vision of this government to bring happiness and prosperity in the lives of farmers by doubling their farm income by 2022.

On account of the strategic measures of this government, there has been enhancement in the availability of certified/quality seeds. The availability of certified / quality seeds in the country has increased from less than 40 lakh quintal during decade of 60 to 370 lakh quintal in 2015-16. The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare has asked the State Governments to prepare variety wise seed rolling plants to meet year wise, season wise requirements of quality seeds. This seed rolling plant will fulfil the double purpose of improving the Seed replacement rate along with Variety replacement rate so that sustainable agricultural production and productivity could be ensured.

Agriculture Minister further said that Indian Seed Market is growing fast and during the recent past, hybrid seed market of vegetables and cereals has shown remarkable growth. Indian Seed Industry can emerge as a prominent industry for supplying seeds in international markets. India has great potentiality to produce hybrid seeds specially costly vegetable seeds on cheap rates as compared to the seeds of the other countries. Apart from vegetables, the hybrid seeds of maize, paddy, pearl millet and cotton may be exported to SEI and African countries in magnitude.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is continuously attempting to streamline the regulatory framework in order to make it transparent, substantial and progressive. The Minister assured the representatives present that Central Government is making all out efforts to help them to grow even more, both domestically and in the international arena.

Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Vikas Yojana, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Soil Health Scheme, Neem Coated Urea and E-National Agriculture Mandi Scheme’s aim to bring improvement in crop productivity as well as income of the farmers.

The opportunities of employment have been created for the skilled men and women and the girls in the field of Agri-warehousing, cold chain, supply chain, dairy, poultry, meat, fisheries, horticulture, agriculture mechanization as well as micro irrigation. Skill India Mission is being implemented for imparting opportunities as well as skills to the rural youth in rural areas.

Agriculture Minister placed emphasis on 7 points programmes laid down by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to make the income of the farmers double. The details thereof are as follow:

Big focus on irrigation with large budgets, with the aim of “per drop-more crop”

Provision of quality seeds and nutrients based on soil health of each field

Large investments in warehousing and cold chains to prevent post-harvest crop losses

Promotion of value addition through food processing

Creation of a national farm market, removing distortions and e-platform across 585 stations

Introduction of a new crop insurance scheme to mitigate risks at affordable cost

Promotion of ancillary activities like poultry, beekeeping and fisheries.